Jonathan Hennessey, the writer I’ve collaborated with for three graphic novels, posted a 15 page excerpt from our Gettysburg Address Adaptation on his blog in honor of MLK Day. Please go HERE to read this insightful examination of the battle for civil rights following the end of the Civil War.

Here’s a teaser image that was posted at The Atlantic from the graphic novel I’m currently drawing. You can read the article which includes some excellent quotes by my collaborator Jonathan Hennessey at this LINK. Coloring on this image is by cartoonist Matthew Bogart.

I’m happy to announce that The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation made a best of 2013 list, thanks to Library Journal. We’re on a short list alongside enormous talents like Peter Bagge and Gene Luen Yang. What an honor!

In addition, I received some pictures of the exhibit in Chicago that I mentioned in my last post. I wish I could see these large scale prints in person, but the photos will have to do for those of us not in Chicago between now and March 2, 2014. My thanks to the Chicago Public Library and the Harold Washington Library Center for hosting the show.

Below are pictures from earlier this year, but I thought I’d round out this graphic novel update with a snapshot that Jonathan Hennessey took at the Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington DC Sept. 21-22. Again, looking at the surrounding books…what great company!

I have more blog posts on a variety of topics coming this week/month, so stay tuned!

It is for us, The Swingin’, to pick up the dues of these Fine Studs who cut out here and flieth through to Endsville…

There is all manner of reflection on the Gettysburg Address today, and I thought I’d illuminate a little Easter Egg that Jonathan Hennessey hid on page 162 of The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation. He sent me some reference material of various memorabilia commemorating the speech to include in the above panel as I saw fit, and I included this red vinyl album for visual interest without knowing anything about “Lord” Richard Buckley. If you aren’t familiar with his recitation of the Address you have YouTube to thank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4u8bblgV1g

I have various links to share, and hope that you have time to check them out, so here we go:

Chapter 2 in its entirety (pages 31-49) available for you to read at Slate.com.

“The Gettysburg Address — a prescription for America’s split personality” written by Jonathan for Foxnews.com.

The Chicago Public Library has an exhibit of pages from the book printed at large scale in the Harold Washington Library Center. Here’s the info and location for those who may be in Chicago sometime between now and March 2nd, 2014.

Commemorating the March on Washington 50 years ago today, here’s a panel from The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaption. Below is a round-up of some of the internet buzz that the book has created since its release. If you want to cut to the chase, these articles suggest that the book is worth your time. It is interesting to read the different parts of the narrative that resonate with each reviewer, though. If you only have time to read one of the following, I suggest the CBR article since it includes commentary from Jonathan Hennessey (and a little from me) about the process of creating the book and the ideas therein.